Prince delivered a powerhouse performance at Hop Farm Festival

Review: Superstar Prince looked as bemused as most of us felt to be in the middle of a field in Kent when he sauntered on stage as the final act of this yearâs three-day Hop Farm Festival.

Prince headlined the Hop Farm Festival (Getty Images)

But as he and his predominantly female, rigorously-drilled NPG backing band warmed up with an opening blast of funk â the bass drum wired up to literally ground-shaking effect â he soon found his groove, and proceeded to treat an adoring crowd to a two-and-a-quarter hour set that barely faltered in energy, intensity and showmanship.

âMachines wouldnât do this,â he commented after a mind-and body-stirring guitar solo, reminding us of his campaign for âreal musicâ, before pausing, hands raised in prayer, intoning âDearly belovedâ¦â and launching into Letâs Go Crazy. The 50,000-odd fans gathered to worship on this balmy Sunday evening did just that.

Prince’s performance at Hop Farm Festival was his first UK show in four years (Reuters)

Dressed in a cream silk embroidered tunic and trousers, with Perspex wedge boots, multi-chain gold necklace and diamante cuff, the 53-year-oldâs energy never flagged as he tore through greatest hits including 1999, Little Red Corvette, Raspberry Beret and Cream. Â

A rendition of Nothing Compares 2 U â duetting with the incomparable, and completely bald, Shelby J – had the whole crowd singing. âThatâs Sinead OâConnorâs song,â he offered playfully, with a raised eyebrow, adding: âBought me a house with that song.â A nod to Michael Jackson (Donât Stop Til You Get Enough), a blast from the past (Letâs Work) and a major hit (U Got The Look) and he was gone.Â

Prince played in front of over 50,000 fans at Hop Farm Festival (Reuters)

But anyone familiar with Princeâs penchant for multiple encores knew the best was yet to come. An eight-minute version of Purple Rain, for one thing. Then a display of Princeâs James Brown-inspired dance skills (he still has some outrageous moves) as he gave Kiss an airing.

A cover of Wild Cherryâs Play That Funky Music. And then (joy!) Larry Graham â who had offered a masterclass in thumpinâ and pluckinâ funk earlier in the day with his Graham Central Station band â took the stage with his mentee, the pair duelling guitar licks through classic Sly And The Family Stone tracks Everyday People and I Want To Take You Higher, and The Beatlesâ Come Together. Â

Of course, the crowd wanted more, and Prince â in indulgently exuberant spirits – was happy to oblige: encore No.4 consisted of If I Was Your Girlfriend, a cover of Sylvesterâs Dance (Disco Heat) and 1982âs Baby Iâm A Star, by which time he was dancing on the piano.

The 11pm curfew finally brought the lights down for the last time on a powerhouse performance that proved Prince live, when heâs in the mood to entertain, is still an experience thatâs hard to top.